page23 (1/2)

“What’s different now?” she asked “I’ood deed—”

“For God’s sake, Belle, you’re not a charity case I’ a shitty job, but I’o the distance until you feel the same about me”

The waitress cahter “Give us a few minutes, eh?”

“You’re ain

“And?”

She shrugged, then exhaled “I’ excuses,” she said “It’s because I’m scared”

“Of what, baby?”

“Of how you make me feel” She adjusted the strap of her dress, and he couldn’t help notice her cleavage “What happens if I tell you I want the sa as you?”

“Then we take things slow I show you just how good things could be”

She tilted her head a bit “My father was controlling…”

“I don’t want to control you, Belle”

“You didn’t letlike hith, how you took co that I want that? That I crave that control? Is so with me?”

“You’re perfect, baby girl I want to be everything you need” He leaned over the table and ran the backs of his fingers along the smooth plane of her neck “In every way”

Her eyes fluttered closed briefly

At thirty-nine years old, he was losing his heart

Chapter Seven

Even when Mikey was at the height of his flirtation, he neverthat answering pulse between her thighs He was good at this The way he looked at her, she thought of sin and all those te dirty books that she snuck into her roohter She had lost count of the nuirl How she’d have loved to be like one of the girls who she saw playing with dolls in the park, or running around after each other

They never looked like they had to take a beating in their life

“You’re blushing,” he said

“I’m sorry I’m just new to all of this” She took a deep breath